Scratchboard for Illustration

Rating:
Summary: If you love scratchboard - get this book!
Review: There aren't many books available on scratchboard but I've managed to obtain some. I got this book through Amazon's out-of-print service and am very glad I did.

The first few chapters give a history as well as overview of the materials used. She shows various scratch tools available as well as various surfaces. Instructions for inking your own all-black surface on white scratchboard is also given.

The next few chapters give examples of the various types of lines and dots that can be achieved with the scratch tools. Some of these examples combine pen & ink with various techniques. The Getting Aquainted chapter, for example, give instructions for creating various half-tone effects, stipple effects, hatching and cross-hatching and combining these with pen & ink.

There are instructions for creating an "unplanned drawing" (which the author defines as sketching directly onto the scratchboard surface freehand) and a "planned drawing" (which is sketching first on paper and then transfering the traced drawing to the scratchboard).

There is instruction on how to correct mistakes, using various mechanical drawing aids such as French Curves, triangles and compass. There are chapters on creating a woodcut or a linoleum cut and metal or wood engraving effects. She deals with effective use of light and shadow and values. There is even one small chapter on non-traditional scratchboard and more experimental surfaces or effects. The final chapter deals with using color with your scratchboard art.

Throughout the entire book each page is crammed with diverse and stunning examples of scratchboard art. Much of the enjoyment I derived from this book was simply from looking at all the great art featured. The diversity of styles - from non-representational to realistic was a feast for the eyes.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone considering trying out scratchboard. Scratchboard fans won't be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: If you love scratchboard - get this book!
Review: There aren't many books available on scratchboard but I've managed to obtain some. I got this book through Amazon's out-of-print service and am very glad I did.

The first few chapters give a history as well as overview of the materials used. She shows various scratch tools available as well as various surfaces. Instructions for inking your own all-black surface on white scratchboard is also given.

The next few chapters give examples of the various types of lines and dots that can be achieved with the scratch tools. Some of these examples combine pen & ink with various techniques. The Getting Aquainted chapter, for example, give instructions for creating various half-tone effects, stipple effects, hatching and cross-hatching and combining these with pen & ink.

There are instructions for creating an "unplanned drawing" (which the author defines as sketching directly onto the scratchboard surface freehand) and a "planned drawing" (which is sketching first on paper and then transfering the traced drawing to the scratchboard).

There is instruction on how to correct mistakes, using various mechanical drawing aids such as French Curves, triangles and compass. There are chapters on creating a woodcut or a linoleum cut and metal or wood engraving effects. She deals with effective use of light and shadow and values. There is even one small chapter on non-traditional scratchboard and more experimental surfaces or effects. The final chapter deals with using color with your scratchboard art.

Throughout the entire book each page is crammed with diverse and stunning examples of scratchboard art. Much of the enjoyment I derived from this book was simply from looking at all the great art featured. The diversity of styles - from non-representational to realistic was a feast for the eyes.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone considering trying out scratchboard. Scratchboard fans won't be disappointed.